City to Seek Bids For Cul-De-Sac On State Street

City officials agreed to seek bids to install a cul-de-sac on the west side of State Street.

Public Works Director Harold Lampkin told the city’s parks, building, development and public service committee Monday that a functional cul-de-sac has been put in where State Street now ends, but the roadway needs to be paved and needs curbs and gutters.

The preliminary work was done so snowplows could turn at the dead end.More than two years ago, city officials agreed to close the State Street and Independence Drive intersection.

That intersection was closed during the construction of the roundabout at Main Street and Independence Drive.Lampkin said the work could be done in-house, but that would reduce the available man-hours which city crews could work on other projects.

City Administrator Russell Rost said there are plans for the city street department to install a sidewalk along Autumn Hill Drive from Clark Street to Independence Drive.He added that if bids are too high, the city can reject them and still conduct the work in-house.

History

In August 2010, Zimmermann reported to city officials that the Union Ambulance District Board and Union Fire Protection District were not against the city’s plans to close the State Street and Independence Drive intersection.However, emergency officials did express some concerns due to the increased response time during emergencies

.A city committee began revisiting in 2010 the possible closure of the road after a request by a resident, who was representing nearly 20 residents who agreed that speeding was an issue along the narrow street, specifically between Clark Street and Independence Drive.

Another resident made the complaint that the western portion of State Street, from Clark Street to Independence Drive, is too narrow and dangerous for through traffic.

The State Street and Independence Drive intersection was closed during the roundabout construction so the narrow roadway was not used as an alternate to Main Street.Zimmermann had said that Autumn Hill Road, which is much wider than State Street, could be used as an alternative route during the Main Street work.Mayor Mike Livengood, who lives on West State Street, said prior to 2010, the closure of the intersection was last discussed in 2007.

At that time, “no parking” zones were added at Clark and State streets because it is difficult for drivers to see pedestrians at the intersection.It was suggested that State Street be made one-way, or end in a cul-de-sac. Officials agreed that a cul-de-sac could make the street safer.

At the 2007 meeting, Livengood said there was an independent study performed several years ago on city streets. He said the “No. 1 recommendation” from the study was to install a cul-de-sac.